Mr. Chair, I do not know how much clearer I can make it. The inconsistencies to which I have alluded have not been addressed here tonight, why we said no to Rwanda and let millions die; why we said yes to Kosovo when 8,000 had died; and why we say no to Sudan when people are dying at the rate of at least 1,000 a week. There are no answers to that inconsistency.
I ask a pointed question in terms of foreign aid. With China's regrettable human rights record, where Christians are being persecuted, Falun Gong followers are being persecuted, and journalists who speak out against the government are being persecuted, why do we continue to give Communist China foreign aid dollars when other countries are so desperately in need? There is no answer from the government on why we continue to do that.
The Conservative policy would be to take a leadership role in enjoining other nations to approach the African Union in a cohesive way and use all our persuasive abilities to bring a constant spotlight on the problem in Sudan and Darfur. Then the African Union could not back away from the issue. It would be under a world spotlight. We know from past performance that when organizations are under the spotlight or under global pressure that they do eventually come around.
The member has suggested that if the African Union says no that we just back off. That is not a policy I can support. Clearly, that would not be Conservative Party policy.
The federal Liberals have not shown leadership on this issue. Perhaps they are afraid of offending China. China continues to veto any kind of intervention. It does not have to be a military assault, but only a presence of military resources protecting the villages that are being assaulted.
Mr. Chair, you and your team have been patient tonight, as have members. Regardless of the contentious nature of these issues, I think debate has been relatively respectful.
I would respectfully submit that the question of inconsistency has not been settled tonight. We would work to settle that and provide consistent, coherent and cogent policy for Canadians.